published: 30 /
9 /
2012
Label:
Crammed Discs
Format: CD
Exhilarating second album from ten-piece group of paraplegic Congo street musicians, Staff Benda Bilili
Review
Staff Benda Bilili's second album for the Brussels label Crammed Discs, 'Bouger Le Monde' does exactly as the title implies; it moves the world. This is exhilarating music, which we've come to know to come from Kinshasa so often, and which blends rumba seamlessly with acoustic and rough electric guitars. The call-and-answer pattern works not just on these little guitar battles, but equally strong are the call-and-answer vocals, sometimes aided by fine harmonies. You'll have to learn Lingala to understand it, however, as there is very little on the album that is sung in French.
The ten members include only one percussionist, one drummer and one bass player so guitars and vocals determine the sound of Staff Benda Bilili. Amalphy Ketikila Masamba, however, produces many mean and great slides from his guitars, and makes the album a thoroughly wonderful listen. 'Bouger Le Monde' is pop music of today and if our radio station programmers weren't so unashamedly bigoted, millions would gladly hear Staff Banda Bilili on radio.
'Bouger Le Monde' is in a sense afro folk rock and melodic all the way through. It is original in sound and leaves a fine aftertaste.
Track Listing:-
1
Osali Mabe
2
Sopeka
3
Bilanga
4
Tangu I Fueni
5
Kuluna/Gangs
6
Djambula
7
Libala Ya Mungwa
8
Souci
9
Apandjokwetu
10
Ne Me Quitte Pas
11
Mutu Esalaka (The Brains Are OK)
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/Staff-Benda-B
http://www.staffbendabilili.com/
Label Links:-
http://www.crammed.be/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crammed
https://twitter.com/CrammedDiscs
https://www.youtube.com/user/CrammedDi
https://plus.google.com/+CrammedDiscs
https://crammed.greedbag.com/